Category: Missional
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Mere Marketing Misses the Mark
This had to be one of the more irritating telemarketing calls I can recall. Some guy cold-called me at my church office yesterday and wanted me to give him a blow-by-blow of our Outreach strategy. He had a service to sell that would “enhance” our attractiveness to the community. To listen to him it sounded like a can’t…
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! Did you know that Patrick of Ireland was, in fact, what we would today call an Evangelical? Despite the tradition that links him to the Roman Catholic Church, Patrick was not part of the church of Rome. Long after his death Patrick was “adopted” by the Roman church. Instead, Patrick was…
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Cats & Dogs and God’s Global Glory
First among the Core Values at Walnut Hill Church is God’s Global Glory. This is the recognition that we do not exist, as a church or as individuals, primarily for ourselves, but for God and for his glory. Expressing this as a platitude is one thing. Getting newcomers to agree with this premise is something else. And getting people to…
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Faith in America: Not What it Used to Be?
I appreciate the perspective of this editorial from the March 12, 2009 Kingsport Times-News. The editor integrates both history and contemporary polling data. It eschews any alarmist inclinations and refutes any distorted notions that America was a distinctively Christian country upon it’s founding. I think this perspective is helpful. I am especially hopeful that it will help in preventing Christians from mistaking…
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Seek God for the City 2009
Beginning today and continuing through Palm Sunday members of our church, individually and corporately, will join thousands of others in churches throughout the world to Seek God for the City. Seek God for the City is an anual season of prayer initiated by Waymakers. Using a prayer guide designed by Waymakers individuals and groups will pray…
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Faucet or Sink?
Trevin Wax suggests that there are two kinds of Christians: Sinks and Faucets. Does that seem a little odd? Well check out Genesis 12.1-3, then see how Trevin describes his view on his blog, Kingdom People. See if you agree, then see which you are…
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Gosepl & Culture Project
Long has the debate endured about how we as Christians ought to relate to the surrounding culture. Many Fundamentalists have, for nearly a century now, advocated abandoning the culture, just let it go to Hell, and create an alternative sub-culture. Progressives & Liberals have advocated embracing the culture, and have even been shaped by it…
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Radical Reformission
Long ago I shamelessly pilferred the word “Reformissional” from Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church and Acts 29 Network. The word seemed to encapsulate what I was about. The word is a hybrid of both Reformed and Missional, two parallel tracks that both decribe and shape my philosophy of ministry – and even, to a large degree, my…
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Mountaintop Spirituality
The mountain journey is about becoming more aligned with God’s presence and purposes in our lives. …The goal is not the glamour of iridescent light, but Christ-shaped encounters with others. The journey is not about getting out of this world or out of ourselves into some more glamorous place – but about getting as deeply…
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The Times They Are A-Changin’
With proper dues to Bob Dylan, “The times they are a-changin’”. I found that glaringly evident when, earlier this week, someone sent me the following video that was oringianlly presented to a gathering of SONY executives. When I watch this video I find myself wondering about the implications for the church, especially as it relates to our mission…
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The Supremacy of God in Missions Through Worship
by John Piper Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no…
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Odyssey of Church Outreach
Outreach and evangelism are among the most important responsibilites the Christian has to his/her community. They are also perhaps the most intimidating. A friend of mine, who is not a pastor, took over the the outreach ministry of his church. He was aware at the outset that this ministry was in need of an ovehaul. During the ‘heydays’ in this congregation most…
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Keller Kiosk
Christianity Today has published an interesting interview with Tim Keller of Redeemer Church in New York City titled, Tim Keller Reasons With America. If you have enjoyed Keller’s writing or teaching you may appreciate the insight behind his philosophy and ministry. Or, if you are one who may be a little curious about this guy who is so frequently cited and…
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Making a World of Difference
“What will it take to change the world – to really change it for the better?” Ron Sider asks that question in the Introduction to his book, Living Like Jesus. And his question resonates with me. It has for a long time – long before I heard Sider aksing it. I grow bored and frustrated…
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Following Jesus in Different Directions?
I’ve been pondering the following assertion from Ron Sider‘s Living Like Jesus: “Still, the modern church prefers to accept only half of Jesus. They willingly accept him either as model or as mediator – but not both. Some urge us to follow his example of love and social concern, but they forget about the cross. Others…
